Vertical profile display with arbitrary plane

Abstract

A system for allowing pilots to quickly determine weather hazard-free flight paths and weather hazards that exist along the aircraft flight plan. The system includes a memory, a processor, and a display device. The memory stores weather radar return information in a three-dimensional buffer. The processor is coupled to the memory. The processor receives a display distance value signal, retrieves weather radar return information stored in a plane of voxels in the three-dimensional buffer based on the selected display distance value and aircraft position information, and generates an image based on the retrieved weather radar return information. The display device is coupled to the processor for displaying the generated image.

1. An aircraft weather radar display method comprising:
 selecting a display distance value;  
 retrieving weather radar return information stored in a plane of voxels in a buffer based on the selected display distance value and aircraft position information; and  
 generating an image based on the retrieved weather radar return information.  
 
   
   
     2. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the voxel plane associated with the retrieved weather return information is perpendicular to the aircraft's heading. 
   
   
     3. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the voxel plane associated with the retrieved weather return information is at a constant range from the aircraft. 
   
   
     4. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising
 selecting a display altitude range,  
 wherein retrieving radar return information is further based on the selected display altitude range.  
 
   
   
     5. The method of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the selecting the display distance value or the display altitude range is performed by a user using a user interface device in the aircraft. 
   
   
     6. An aircraft weather radar display system comprising:
 a memory configured to store weather radar return information in a buffer;  
 a processor coupled to the memory, the processor comprising: 
 a first component configured to receive a display distance value signal;  
 a second component configured to retrieve weather radar return information stored in a plane of voxels in the buffer based on the selected display distance value and aircraft position information; and  
 a third component configured to generate an image based on the retrieved weather radar return information; and  
 
 a display device configured to display the generated image.  
 
   
   
     7. The system of  claim 6 , wherein the voxel plane associated with the retrieved weather radar return information is perpendicular to the aircraft's heading. 
   
   
     8. The system of  claim 6 , wherein the voxel plane associated with the retrieved weather radar return information is at a constant range from the aircraft. 
   
   
     9. The system of  claim 6 , further comprising a user interface device coupled to the processor and configured to generate a display altitude range signal, wherein the second component retrieves radar return information further based on the selected display altitude range. 
   
   
     10. The system of  claim 6 , further comprising a user interface device coupled to the processor and configured to generate the display distance value signal. 
   
   
     11. An aircraft weather radar display computer program product comprising:
 a first component configured to store weather radar return information in a buffer;  
 a second component configured to receive a display distance value signal;  
 a third component configured to retrieve weather radar return information stored in a plane of voxels in the buffer based on the selected display distance value and aircraft position information; and  
 a fourth component configured to generate an image based on the retrieved weather radar return information.  
 
   
   
     12. The product of  claim 11 , wherein the voxel plane associated with the retrieved weather radar return information is perpendicular to the aircraft's heading. 
   
   
     13. The product of  claim 11 , wherein the voxel plane associated with the retrieved weather radar return information is at a constant range from the aircraft. 
   
   
     14. The product of  claim 11 , further comprising a fifth component configured to generate a display altitude range signal, wherein the second component retrieves radar return information further based on the selected display altitude range. 
   
   
     15. The product of  claim 11 , further comprising a fifth component configured to generate the display distance value signal.